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For Your Home |
Why
Do I Need a Load Calculation?
When purchasing a new system, it’s very important
that a licensed dealer visit your home to perform a
complete evaluation, or “load calculation.” By
doing this, he will look at all the factors that affect
the heat gain and loss of your home.
The dealer will take into account the climate you
live in, as well as the size, shape, and orientation
of your home; it’s not enough to merely calculate
square footage, although he will do that, too. What
type of insulation and how much you have is important
along with window size, type, quantity, and the directions
they face. He might measure walls and floors; he’ll
see what materials the house is made of. He’ll
check seals, estimate air leakage, and locate existing
vents and ductwork.
By combining these and other factors, the dealer
will evaluate what size unit your home requires. However,
if you are replacing an existing system, you can give
your dealer a starting point. You can provide to him
the model and serial numbers of your existing units,
found on the rating plate. (See Diagram)
But you will
still require a load calculation. An over or under sized
unit is one of the most common problems with any system;
when a licensed dealer performs a load calculation, you
will have a more efficient system and a more comfortable
home. |
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